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Tag: Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu

  • Iwuanyanwu for burial November 1

    Iwuanyanwu for burial November 1

    • Ohanaeze Ndigbo announces burial plan for its President General

    The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has announced the burial arrangements for its late President General, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.

    The pan-Igbo cultural group inaugurated a burial committee to ensure a befitting burial for its late leader.

    The Chairman of the National Burial Committee, Senator Ben Ndi Obi (Ojeligbo) announced details of the burial plan during the committee’s inaugural sitting at the Imo Governor’s Lodge in Abuja.

    Obi reminisced on the life of the businessman and politician as well as the innumerable lives he touched positively.

    He said: “The funeral programme will commence on Wednesday, October 16 with a Day of Tributes in Lagos. This event will bring together leaders from all walks of life – political, business, religious, and cultural sectors – to reflect on Chief Iwuanyanwu’s immense contributions to the development of Nigeria and the Igbo people in particular.

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    “On Friday, October 18, a Day of Tributes will be held in Abuja, the nation’s capital. This solemn event will allow friends, colleagues, and dignitaries in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to honour the life of a man whose vision and leadership were pivotal in shaping the course of national discourse.

    “…On Saturday, October 26, Chief Iwuanyanwu’s body will arrive in Enugu State en route Owerri, where a grand reception will hold first at the Ohanaeze Headquarters and then The Micheal Okpara Square in Enugu. These events will showcase the rich Igbo culture and heritage that Chief Iwuanyanwu championed throughout his life.

    “The climax of the funeral rites will take place on Tuesday, October 29, beginning with a Commendation Service in Owerri. After the service, his body will be conveyed to his hometown, Atta, in Ikeduru Local Government Area, for a final funeral service and interment on November 1…

    “In line with Chief Iwuanyanwu’s legacy of unity, the committee is ensuring that all events are inclusive, dignified, and accessible to all who wish to pay their last respects. We appreciate the continued support and ask for your prayers as we honour a great man who has left an indelible mark on our nation.”

  • Iwuanyanwu alleges death threat, plot to burn residence

    Iwuanyanwu alleges death threat, plot to burn residence

    The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, has raised the alarm over alleged threat to his life.

    He stated that some Igbos, whom he described as anti-Igbo, have orchestrated plans to either kill him or burn his house over his leadership of Ndigbo.

    Iwuanyanwu, who addressed a briefing at the secretariat of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Enugu on Wednesday evening, alleged the same group of persons threatening his life caused the death of his predecessor, Prof George Obiozor, attempted to kill former president general, Nnia Nwodo.

    “This has become very dangerous. These people have carried this too far. Sometimes ago, I got some information that some people were coming to burn my house; that people said they were hired to come and burn my house.

    “Some people also said they were hired to come and kill me; all sorts of stories like that. And I started asking myself: what is it that I have done that would warrant that my house should be burned; that I should be killed?

    “I told those people that they shouldn’t worry. Fortunately, one of them said that the person they hired said that I trained his brother in the university. You know I had a scholarship scheme that trained over 5000 young people in the university. So he said his brother was trained by me and so he cannot burn my house.

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    “I feel sad that I should be confronted by some of these types of spectre of threats just because I want to serve my people.

    “I have looked at my past career and seen how God blessed me. At 82 when I’ve retired, for me now to come back to serve my people and to find myself completely engulfed in this type of mess with Isiguzoro.

    “I’m somebody who is dogged and can’t easily be pushed around. God has given me the heart and determination to serve my people,” he said

    He stated the group traced Obiozor to his village to kill him and when they failed to get him, they set his house on fire.

    “Obiozor died as as result of that attack on his country home because as a diplomat, all his books, awards and recognition were totally burnt and these were things he cherished so much.

    “In the case of Nnia Nwodo, as President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, they trailed him to his village in Ukehe, Enugu state and threw bomb into his house. Fortunately, he was not there,” he added.

    Iwuanyanwu stated that former president general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, late Pro Joe Irukwu also suffered similar fate when he was accused of receiving millions of naira to work against the interest of Igboland, adding that “Irukwu painfully carried the allegation until his death”.

    He also bemoaned the Igbo penchant for pulling down their leaders.

    “Evidently, we the Igbo destroy the Igbo in diverse ways; and turn around to claim that others are after us. When it was Chief Nnia Nwodo as the President General of Ohanaeze, the same group bombed the house of Nwodo at Ukehe; and pronounced him a saboteur that should be stoned to death wherever he was found. The matter took the author to Chief Mbazulike Amaechi house at Ukpor and Chief Amaechi was shocked to discover that they fabricated falsehood against Nwodo. And they apologized,’ he stressed.

    Iwuanyanwu, who stated that he was prepared to serve Ndigbo and would not succumb to threats of anti-Igbo, bemoaned the Igbo penchant for pulling down their leaders.

    He debunked some viral audio recordings insinuating that the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo was planning to apologise over killings during the January 15, 1966 coup.

  • Imo PDP Chieftains fight over Atiku’s visit

    …my ambition driven by patriotism-ex-VP

     

    Chieftains of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) including former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, former Minister of Aviation, Kema Chikwe, member of House of  Representatives, Jones Onyereri, among others Wednesday clashed at the glass house office of PDP Board of Trustee (BoT) member, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu over the visit of former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar.

    The aggrieved PDP Chiefs engaged Iwuanyanwu in a shouting match after he requested to have a closed door meeting with the visiting former Vice President who was on a courtesy call in his office before meeting with PDP stakeholders in the state.

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    Kema was particularly furious over Iwuanyanwu’s demand, describing it as embarrassing and selfish.

    According to her, Atiku was in the state to consult with PDP members and should not be hijacked by anybody.

    Shortly after the fracas which lasted for over 30 minutes, Ihedioha, Kema, Onyereri and their supporters stormed out of the meeting. All efforts to placate them by Atiku were abortive.

    Meanwhile, Atiku told journalists that the desire to move Nigeria forward has sustained his desire to be the President of Nigeria.

    The ex VP who came in the company of the Director General of his Campaign Organization and former Governor of Ogun state, Gbenga Daniel and other members of his campaign team, said that he had the solution to the litany of challenges confronting the country .

    According to him, “patriotism is the key thing; it is the thing propelling my presidential ambition. I want to move Nigeria forward; patriotism is needed to move Nigeria forward.”

    He said he was in the state to consult the leadership of PDP in the state ahead of the party’s presidential primary.

    Responding, Iwuanyanywu said that he will not retire from politics until Atiku became president.

    The elder statesman stated that the country was in dire need of a leader like Atiku to develop the country.

    Iwuanyanywu said “I will not retire from politics until Atiku Abubakar becomes president. Atiku is the kind of President Nigeria needs. There is poverty in the land because of bad governance supporting Atiku is the best thing to do.

    “Igbo has been marginalized in this government and sadly some Igbo people are still supporting Buhari.”

  • Stop opening new varsities, Iwuanyanwu advises FG

    Stop opening new varsities, Iwuanyanwu advises FG

    Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing  Council, University of Calabar, has advised the Federal Government to stop establishing more universities and enhance the standard of existing ones.

    Iwuanyanwu gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Atta Ikeduru, Imo, on Tuesday.

    He said that instead of frequent approval of new universities, government should concentrate on improving standards in the existing ones to produce quality graduates.

    Iwuanyanwu said that the standard of education in Nigerian universities had dropped when compared with what obtained more than 40 years ago.

    ““During our days in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, before the outbreak of the civil war, Nigerian universities were rated among the top universities in the world but the situation today is something else.

    “”Government must do something to change the university system, ‘’ he said.

    Iwuanyanwu said that the quality of education was central to the advancement of the nation, adding that emphasis must be placed on specialisation by universities for expected gains in the education sector.

    The elder statesman expressed support for the restructuring of the country with a view to tackling corruption, repositioning the local government administration and power sector.

    ““I must commend President Muhammadu Buhari for his courage in embarking on anti-corruption fight.

    “”Buhari embarked on War Against Indiscipline as Head of State and now fighting corruption as a civilian president.

    ““All I want Buhari to do is to extend the anti-corruption fight to all sectors not at the level of leaders alone because a policeman collecting N50 from drivers on the road is involved in corruption.

    “ “The one giving gift to somebody in office is also involved,” he said.

    The pro-chancellor said that there must be ethical revolution in order to eliminate corruption for Nigeria to get things right.

    On the lingering petrol scarcity, Iwuanyanwu advised the Federal Government to construct refineries in all the 36 states as a way of ending the recurrent challenges associated with short supply of petroleum products.

  • Igbo never mandated anyone to talk about secession – Iwuanyanwu

    Igbo never mandated anyone to talk about secession – Iwuanyanwu

    Prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, declared yesterday that the Igbo never mandated any one to talk about breaking away from the country.

    He expressed worry over agitations by some groups for the balkanization of the country although he has nothing against restructuring which, according to him, is appropriate to address the numerous challenges confronting the country.

    Iwuayanwu who spoke in an interview said restructuring does not amount to division of the nation, adding ”let us forget about the talk of secession by some young people.”

    Continuing, he said: ”I am an Igbo man and a leader. I was the Chairman of Planning and Strategy of Ohaneze Ndigbo, so when you talk of any decision on the Igbo, it must have my consent.

    ”Igbo have never mandated anybody to go and talk about secession. We have heard that some youths reversed the call for the exit of the Igbo form the north.

    “I am happy that Nigerian leaders as well as the governors are coming up to say that Igbo are safe in their places.”

    Iwuanyanwu assured Igbo of their safety in every part of the country.

    ”Many Igbo in the north have been coming to me asking me of what to do; I want to assure them that nobody is going to hurt them.

    ”We all stand for one Nigeria and in future if anybody makes a statement, nobody should generalise and say it is Igbo,” he said.

    According to him, there are good and terrible people amongst the Igbo as it is in other tribes.

    ”People should stop generalizing individual’s comment as if it were the general Igbo who made the comment.

    ”I am happy that the President (Muhammadu Buhari) has said that anyone who made threatening comments would be disciplined and he has said he would put security measures to protect them.

    ”Therefore, Igbo shouldn’t go anywhere.

    ”I just want everyone to accept this restructuring and by the way, this restructuring issue is not a complicated one.

    ”We have had two constitutional conferences during Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Dr Goodluck Jonathan civilian governments. We don’t even need to have a sovereign national conference.

  • Igbo never mandated anybody to talk about secession – Iwuanyanwu

    Igbo never mandated anybody to talk about secession – Iwuanyanwu

    A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, has said that Igbo never mandated anybody to talk about breaking away from the country.

    Iwuanyanwu said this in Abuja on Saturday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    He expressed worry over agitations by some groups calling for the nation’s balkanization.

    Iwuanyanwu, however, said that the call for restructuring was appropriate to address the numerous challenges confronting the country.

    According to him, restructuring doesn’t mean division of the nation, adding ‘‘let us forget about the talk of secession by some young people.

    ‘‘I am an Igbo man and a leader.

    ‘‘I was the Chairman of Planning and Strategy of Ohaneze Ndigbo, so when you talk of any decision on the Igbo, it must have my consent.

    ‘‘Igbo have never mandated anybody to go and talk about secession.

    ‘‘We have heard that some youths reversed the call for the exit of the Igbo form the north.

    ‘‘l am happy that Nigerian leaders as well as the governors are coming up to say that Igbo are safe in their places.

    ‘‘Iwuanyanwu assured Igbo of their safety in every part of the country.

    ‘‘Many Igbo in the north have been coming to me asking me of what to do; I want to assure them that nobody is going to hurt them.

    ‘‘We all stand for one Nigeria and in future if anybody makes a statement, nobody should generalise and say it is Igbo,’’ he added.

    According to him, there are good and terrible people amongst the Igbo as it is in other tribes.

    ‘‘People should stop generalising individual’s comment as if it were the general Igbo who made the comment.

    ‘‘I am happy that the President (Muhammadu Buhari) has said that anyone who made threatening comments would be disciplined and he has said he would put security measures to protect them.

    ‘‘Therefore, Igbo shouldn’t go anywhere.

    ‘‘I just want everyone to accept this restructuring and by the way, this restructuring issue is not a complicated one.

    ‘‘We have had two constitutional conferences during Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Dr Goodluck Jonathan civilian governments. We don’t even need to have a sovereign national conference.

    ‘‘If the National Assembly members can be honest with themselves, they should form a committee of the whole which include both chambers and call it a restructuring committee.

    ‘‘Call for submission by people then include it with the submissions from the conference by Obasanjo and Jonathan, then they will know that we want to restructure to give more autonomy, money and development to the region and avoid people running to Abuja for everything.

    ‘‘We need a system where people can stay in their states, create industries and get jobs,’’ he said. (NAN)

  • Commercial activities grounded as Owerri monarch is laid to rest

    All markets and business places in Owerri, the Imo State capital were on friday shutdown as the paramount ruler of Owerri Eze Dr. Emmanuel Emenyonu Njemanze (Ozuruigbo V of Owerri) was laid to rest in his palace.

    Vehicular movements were also restricted as most of the major streets that used to be congested were almost deserted. Residents of Owerri reported that cannon shots started booming as early as 1am and continued until 12 noon.

    Eze Njemanze, whose reign was relatively peaceful, ascended the throne in 1989 and joined his ancestors in May 2016.

    The corpse was last taken to Government College Owerri where he was a pioneer student for a brief lying in state before a burial service at the Cathedral of Transfiguration of Our Lord (CATOL), where family members and Owerri indigenes turned out in large number to bid the monarch farewell. There was also a colourful road walk by youths in royal dresses.

    In his sermon the officiating Priest and the Anglican Bishop of Owerri, Rt. Rev. Dr. Cyril Okorocha stated that the quality of a man was not measured by his wealth, adding that the late monarch lived a life worthy of emulation and commendation.

    He prayed God for the repose of the soul of the departed monarch and the fortitude for the family to bear the loss.

    The burial was witnessed by eminent Nigerians including the former Governor of the State, Chief Ikedi ohakim, the Deputy Governor of the State, Eze Madumere ,  Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Minister of state for Education, Prof. Anthony anwukah Chief Mike Ahamba SAN, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, former Military Administrator of the State, Senator Ike Nwachukwu and Amb Kema Chikwe.

    Others were Amb. Jude Agbugba, Livy Uzoukwu SAN, Ken Njemanze SAN, Prof. Viola Onwuliri,  Dr. Pascal Dozie and Hon. Onyewuchi Ezenwa among others.